Catherine Cowles

I loved him before I knew what the word meant. From skinned knees to first dates and everything in between. But he was never mine to love. I settled for friendship, even though I always wanted more. That was before. Before he ripped my world apart and didn't bother sticking around to help me pick up the pieces. I knit every last shred back together all on my own. And I've all but forgotten his name. Now, he's back, and everything is torn apart once more. But he's not the only one doing the tearing this time. And there might be no stopping the person who has it out for us both.

Reckless Memories

Isabelle played the third wheel to her sister, Violet and her boyfriend, Ford, for most of their young lives, but an accident that killed Violet changed everything.  Ford went away to nurse his emotional wounds and didn't come back for years while Bell was left to heal and pick up the pieces of her life on her own.  Just when Bell thinks she has some peace in her life, Ford's brother, Hunter calls him back to help with their struggling family bar.  Bell has been working at the bar for years, keeping it afloat, so when Ford comes back unannounced, she is devastated.  

Everything in Reckless Memories revolves around the death of Bell's sister and the effect that it has on the people of the small town of Anchor.  The emotions of each character are carefully brought to the surface as new challenges, including a stalker, are woven into the story, sometimes weighing down the narrative.  There is so much anger, resentment, and sadness that it is difficult for the romance, as well as other relationships, to shine through or to make it believable that those issues can be so easily solved.  Overall, Reckless Memories is a well written, well developed story that often gets bogged down with heavy emotion.

Lynn Braden

Isabelle played the third wheel to her sister, Violet and her boyfriend, Ford, for most of their young lives, but an accident that killed Violet changed everything.  Ford went away to nurse his emotional wounds and didn't come back for years while Bell was left to heal and pick up the pieces of her life on her own.  Just when Bell thinks she has some peace in her life, Ford's brother, Hunter calls him back to help with their struggling family bar.  Bell has been working at the bar for years, keeping it afloat, so when Ford comes back unannounced, she is devastated.  

Everything in Reckless Memories revolves around the death of Bell's sister and the effect that it has on the people of the small town of Anchor.  The emotions of each character are carefully brought to the surface as new challenges, including a stalker, are woven into the story, sometimes weighing down the narrative.  There is so much anger, resentment, and sadness that it is difficult for the romance, as well as other relationships, to shine through or to make it believable that those issues can be so easily solved.  Overall, Reckless Memories is a well written, well developed story that often gets bogged down with heavy emotion.

I loved him before I knew what the word meant. From skinned knees to first dates and everything in between. But he was never mine to love. I settled for friendship, even though I always wanted more. That was before. Before he ripped my world apart and didn’t bother sticking around to help me pick up the pieces. I knit every last shred back together all on my own. And I’ve all but forgotten his name. Now, he’s back, and everything is torn apart once more. But he’s not the only one doing the tearing this time. And there might be no stopping the person who has it out for us both. ***** Read what others are saying about Reckless Memories: “No one can weave a mystery into a romance like Catherine Cowles. The emotional journey Bell and Ford went on left me utterly breathless. A great beginning to a new series.” – New York Times bestselling author Kelly Elliott "A story rich with both heartache and hope. Catherine Cowles writes characters that are real, relatable, and will have you rooting for their happily-ever-after with all your heart!" - Mia Sheridan, New York Times bestselling author “I loved the sweetness, the fire, and the suspense...Reckless Memories checked off every single heartwarming box!” - Willow Aster, USA Today bestselling author "Mystery, second-chances, and a very satisfying Happily Ever After. You need this book!" - Susan Stoker, New York Times bestselling author “Catherine Cowles creates a world you'll want to stay in forever. Unrequited love at its very best with an emotional twist you won't see coming.” - Grahame Claire, USA Today bestselling author “Reader be warned: Catherine Cowles will steal your heart with this overflowing-with-feels second chance romance and you won’t ever want it back.” - Karla Sorensen, author of The Washington Wolves series ***** Read what others are saying about Catherine Cowles: "I fell in love with these characters, with the writing, and with this unexpected story. I can't recommend it enough!" - Alessandra Torre, New York Times Bestseller “Heartwarming, romantic and with an added bit of suspense, Beautifully Broken Pieces had me glued to every page! Catherine Cowles, meet your newest super fan.” - Devney Perry, USA Today Bestseller “Cowles writes fresh, addicting, and intensely beautiful stories!” - Susan Stoker, New York Times Bestseller "Catherine Cowles has a way of pulling the reader into the world she has created and leaves you there for days after you have read the last page." - Kelly Elliott, New York Times Bestseller “I walked away knowing I would read every single thing this talented new author ever writes." - Natasha is a Book Junkie ﻿*** Perfect for readers of Kristen Ashley, Nora Roberts, and Devney Perry.

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Reckless Memories is the first book in the "Wrecked" series. After falling in love with her "Tattered and Torn" series, I have been wanting to work through her backlisted books. I found Reckless Memories and I just had a blast with this book. If you are a fan of second chance romances, then this one will really work for you. I really have become charmed by Catherine Cowles, her steam is lower than expected though. So don't expect high steam for her. But I love that about her, she writes such great connection and intimacy. What really impressed me with this one was seeing these two slowly rebuild their trust with each other.

So the gist of the story is that Bell and Ford were once best friends and grew up together. Ford dated her sister, but when they end up in a car accident and her sister dies, Bell never hears from Ford again. Its now been years, and he has come back to help his family and their bar out as he has made a success in making bars successful. But what he doesn't expect is having to face up to the mistakes of the past or to be presented with Bell who is bitter and angry against him. But as Ford and Bell learn to rebuild their past bridges, they also embrace the love and connection that has always been there but never had an opportunity to grow until now...

Reckless Memories was such a wonderful read! I just adored so much of this story. Now it didn't quite get to a five star read (as those I am super picky about) however I found that this one just delivered such a sound story. I was all over the place with the emotion that was delivered. I felt for BOTH the hero and heroine. They both were deceived and so we do see some outer forces that contributed to them being seperated but also some of it was them just being young kids and not fighting for each other enough. I do love a great friends to lovers though, but yeah the author really implements the "Forbidden" aspects to their relationship so well. I really enjoyed seeing them find ways to reconnect with each other. The family that we get introduced to are so endearing and I can't wait for more books into this island coastal town. Definitely a keeper if you are fans of small town romances.

I found Reckless Memories to be such a win of a story that melted my heart and captivated the senses! You never can go wrong with a Catherine Cowles.

Lover of Romance 

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Introduction
Reckless Memories is the first book in the "Wrecked" series. After falling in love with her "Tattered and Torn" series, I have been wanting to work through her backlisted books. I found Reckless Memories and I just had a blast with this book. If you are a fan of second chance romances, then this one will really work for you. I really have become charmed by Catherine Cowles, her steam is lower than expected though. So don't expect high steam for her. But I love that about her, she writes such great connection and intimacy. What really impressed me with this one was seeing these two slowly rebuild their trust with each other.

Summary
So the gist of the story is that Bell and Ford were once best friends and grew up together. Ford dated her sister, but when they end up in a car accident and her sister dies, Bell never hears from Ford again. Its now been years, and he has come back to help his family and their bar out as he has made a success in making bars successful. But what he doesn't expect is having to face up to the mistakes of the past or to be presented with Bell who is bitter and angry against him. But as Ford and Bell learn to rebuild their past bridges, they also embrace the love and connection that has always been there but never had an opportunity to grow until now...

My Outlook
Reckless Memories was such a wonderful read! I just adored so much of this story. Now it didn't quite get to a five star read (as those I am super picky about) however I found that this one just delivered such a sound story. I was all over the place with the emotion that was delivered. I felt for BOTH the hero and heroine. They both were deceived and so we do see some outer forces that contributed to them being seperated but also some of it was them just being young kids and not fighting for each other enough. I do love a great friends to lovers though, but yeah the author really implements the "Forbidden" aspects to their relationship so well. I really enjoyed seeing them find ways to reconnect with each other. The family that we get introduced to are so endearing and I can't wait for more books into this island coastal town. Definitely a keeper if you are fans of small town romances.

Overall View
I found Reckless Memories to be such a win of a story that melted my heart and captivated the senses! You never can go wrong with a Catherine Cowles.

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 4
World Building: 4.5
Cover: 4
Hero: 4
Heroine: 4
Steam: 3
Heart & Feels: 4
Ending: 4
Overall View: 4.25


Reckless Memories

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